New York (AFP) – Kevin Durant’s trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets was agreed upon in principle on Sunday as part of an NBA-record seven-team deal, according to multiple reports. The Rockets will also welcome back Clint Capela in a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta, according to The Athletic and ESPN, citing unnamed sources. Also involved in the blockbuster transfer were the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Durant, a 15-time NBA All-Star forward and four-time league scoring leader, turns 37 in September. The 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player won NBA titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018. Capela, a 31-year-old Swiss center, played his first six NBA seasons in Houston and the past five for the Hawks. He averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game and joins New Zealand’s Steven Adams as a big-man backup to Turkey’s Alperen Sengun.
Related news
The Suns’ haul after losing Durant included 18-year-old South Sudanese 7-foot-2 (2.18m) center Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick in June’s NBA draft, plus Houston forward Dillon Brooks of Canada and guard Jalen Green, Atlanta wing Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota forward Rasheer Fleming, Golden State guard Koby Brea from the Dominican Republic, and a future draft pick.
The Hawks got cash and a 2031 draft pick swap from Houston, while Brooklyn obtained two future second-round selections and sent the rights to incoming U.S. rookie forward Adou Thiero to the Lakers. The Warriors obtained the rights to Australian forward Alex Toohey, the 52nd pick in last month’s draft, and U.S. guard Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft. Minnesota landed two future draft picks from the Suns and 18-year-old Australian 7-foot-3 center Rocco Zikarsky, the 45th pick in the draft, from the Lakers.
© 2024 AFP
